BITE user comments - mhartes
Comments by mhartes
If you are thinking of going to the recent Edinburgh Fringe Review which is touring the country... "The Fawlty Towers Dining Experience", don't waste your money.............. go to The Surrey Oaks, Newdigate instead! It is a sort of gastronomic Boot Camp. The waiter kept on encouraging us to speed up and leave.(A bit like the guests being removed from the table to be replaced by Lord Melbury in Fawlty Towers) He later also invited us to leave the table and drink our coffees standing at the bar! When that did not work, he sent over a lady to intimidate us. (she looked a bit like Olive from "On the Buses".) Unfortunately we surmised, too late, that the pub has been taken over by a new landlord!!! I have been going to this pub for the last 35 years and was shocked by the new unique dining experience..... and I wish they didn't keep asking if the food was alright. If they asked me one more time I would have told them the truth!
3 Oct 2014 22:19
Its coming to a spluttering start after closing down over August
16 Sep 2013 18:37
The Prince Albert, Bletchingley
Think it has changed hands, the Scottish land lady has gone. Unfortunately they have installed a pool table and other machines, seems to be going downhill, but we will see!
16 Sep 2013 18:34
Weird pub, a lot of people from the local 'estate' seem to go there. Bar staff seem more interested in chatting up the local bar-flies than serving people. They can't seem to keep the beer properly, IPA, Doom Bar and London Pride all under-par. No atmosphere, lights far too bright. Sad place.... and pay to park in the car park!!
28 Jul 2013 23:34
They are trying to resurrect this pub, but I don't think there's much hope, its too small for a going concern. Who would want to go there for a meal? Too much riff raff coming from the local estate to make it a pleasant pub, shame! Best to convert it into a house.
28 Jul 2013 23:27
I wonder how many houses you could get on the site of the Limes?
14 May 2013 07:20
Doom Bar tastes disgusting, what do they do with it !!
Miserable bar staff and bad service
14 May 2013 07:17
Under new management. Acoustic Jam night starting every wednesday
14 May 2013 07:15
What a dump, do you remember the Blue Oyster Bar in Police Academy? When two guys go into a bar and realise it was a big big mistake! This happened to us at the Magpie. Never known such a bad atmosphere, loads of CHAVS at the bar making stupid comments. A seriously dodgy place, steer well clear!!
20 Jan 2013 09:14
What a sad way to go for a once beautiful pub. Went there on Sunday night and we were the only people in there. We got served by the obligatory surly bar maid and last time we were in there a young barman was moaning that people were coming in to eat! It needs a bit of loving care and attention by a new landlord/landlady. Why cant Youngs find anyone decent to run this pub? The character of the back room has been ruined also. It used to a have a quaint old bench around the side of the walls which made it look quite old fashioned, instead they have ripped all the old decor out and made it into a "squashed up" resturant
24 Jun 2008 14:32
Now a standard Gastro Pub with most of its character taken away. More of a Bar/Resturant I suppose, with more restaurant than bar! The standard (Gastro Pub) beige walls, light oak beams and stainless steel light fittings are in order. Can't comment on the food, I didn't have any.
24 Dec 2007 11:47
Nice enough Fullers country pub, nice beer, pleasant atmosphere and location. I had sunday roast which was pretty good. staff friendly and helpful. Food a bit on the expensive side but thats the way things are going nowadays. My only complaint is I dont like loads of dogs around in the eating area, makes me want to heave. I am a refugee from the Skimmington Castle (Reigate Heath) and The Dolphin (Betchworth) which have both gone downhill over the past year. So you see I have to travel further and further to a decent pub! Well done The Bell, keep up the high standard !
24 Dec 2007 11:33
Really nice to find an unspoilt pub where the guts havent been ripped out of it. My local used to be a bit like this a few years ago. In Surrey we called the smallest bar the Snug Bar, in the Nelson it is called the Poop Deck !! Great little pub, even better now it is non-smoking. I counted 4 separate bars !
17 Jul 2007 14:16
The Sportsman 'Time Well Spent', Mogador
Went in this pub last friday, I think the smokers are having their "last gasp" before 1st July. I have never seen so many people smoking. A lot of them were smoking cigars, and it is only a small pub. Roll on 1st July 2007 !!
26 Jun 2007 13:32
The Railway Tavern, Carshalton
Fantastic Pub but �2.75 for a pint of Pride? no wonder its half empty
22 Jun 2007 11:29
After the previous management "did a runner" the pub has reverted back to Chav's City
22 Jun 2007 11:25
Yes this pub is a bit stinky... maybe the combination of stale beer, smoke and sweat. What makes me laugh is they have a tent out the back for non-smokers! If this policy continues the pub will be empty on July 1st !
22 Jun 2007 11:23
The Blue Ball, Walton On The Hill
I always find this pub a bit smelly and it has an air or grubbiness about it. The dodgy bar flys always stare at you when you walk in. The whole place needs a bit of steam cleaning (or perhaps..sand blasting?) Has seen better days
22 Jun 2007 09:33
No, no, no..... its not a "downmarket dump", it's a proper pub! If you want to try a downmarket dump I suggest you try a Wetherspoons, the Dolphin in Sutton or The Angel at Woodhatch. I agree it is for the over 50's, if you would rather have something a bit more modern... go to the Fox and Hounds, Walton on the Hill.. or perhaps an All Bar One
22 Jun 2007 08:08
Great Pub, a real gem, good beer, great atmosphere, great decor, great clientele, No music, No Sports TV and NO FOOD (as far as I could see).. great !!
21 May 2007 13:39
Not really a pub, it's a Restaurant !! Went in there on Saturday, loads of reserved table and nowhere to sit down with a pint
16 May 2007 08:12
It's a shame... this pub looks so promising from the outside, in a nice little village. Unfortunately they have gutted the inside and made it look a bit like a Harvester. Beige walls, sofas and farm equipment.. not really a pub anymore, just a bar/restaurant. I'm sure the food is better than a Harvester though. I last went to this pub about 7 years ago, it was much better then. Apparently this is a part of a chain, I hope they haven't done the same to the other pubs!!
16 May 2007 07:49
Oh dear, what have they done to this beautiful old pub. They cant resist fiddling around with the design, ripping the guts out of it and messing it up. This pub used to have a fantastic public bar with flag stones. Put it back as it was..I say !!
27 Mar 2007 10:27
Oh dear, they have been refurbishing this beautiful old pub. They have ripped the bench seats out of the main bar. (How come they are allowed to do this? It is a listed building?) The bench seats is what gave the bar its character !! WHY cant they leave things alone. They have now turned it into a restaurant and squashed as many seats and tables in as possible. It must be HELL at Sunday lunchtimes. Also the hotch potch of seats look if they have been bought from a car boot sale, very tatty looking, What a MESS
14 Mar 2007 13:23
I used to drive past this place (when it was a private house) for years.... thinking Wow!, thats a great place that could be converted into a country pub. When it was converted to a pub it was a terrible disappointment. They ripped the guts out of the original old building and turned into a Berni Inn/Harvester type establishment. 'Orrible
27 Feb 2007 13:30
The Chequers, Walton On The Hill
refurbishment? I hope they are not going to ruin the pub like they've done just down the road to the TERRIBLE Fox and Hounds !!
27 Feb 2007 13:16
The Blue Ball, Walton On The Hill
Bit of a dowdy pub, dodgy locals stare at you when you walk in. Not a friendly pub.
27 Feb 2007 13:12
The Sportsman 'Time Well Spent', Mogador
Used to be a beautiful pub 20 years ago but now all you hear when you sit outside is the constant drone of the M25
14 Feb 2007 11:55
The Fox and Hounds, Walton On The Hill
This is no longer a pub, it is now a Bar/Restaurant. The old Fox and Hounds is no more !! Yuck
9 Jan 2007 08:04
Yes the Plough has a nice feel to it and the food looks good...but the decor !! Bright lights and naff mock tudor. This pub could be so much better with a mild make over. At the moment it looks like one of those tourist pubs you find in North Devon. With a bit of loving care and attention it could be so much better, but please dont turn it into a pub like the Black Swan down the road.... Yuck
9 Jan 2007 07:52
Oh Dear, this pub was full of Chavs, White Van Men, Baseball Caps and Scaffolders and that was a Saturday night !! Where do they all come from?? This pub is in such a well heeled area. Perhaps they come from Merland Rise, there are no pubs near there since the Surrey Yeoman and the Sheep Shearers got knocked down. This pub was never much good, even when it was called the Station Hotel !! AVOID
31 Dec 2006 10:16
The Skimmington Castle, Reigate Heath
Beer still OK but there has been a change of landlord in the last few months. The quality of the food has slipped after the high standard of the last 5 years. It is also expensive for the small portions. Shame, it used to be a smashing pub. Will wait a few months before I go back to see if they get a decent chef !!
27 Dec 2006 09:55
The Porterhouse, Covent Garden
Good Irish Musicians on a Sunday afternoon.... lead by some of the best irish musicians in London
6 Dec 2006 16:01
The locals are a bit too friendly. Smelly farmer started chatting up my wife
5 Dec 2006 15:24
The Chequers, Walton On The Hill
Seems to have got invaded by loud mouthed chavs from the local council estate. Best to divide the bars up properly like it was before..Lounge, Saloon and Public
16 Oct 2006 21:53
The Windsor Castle, Carshalton
Not a bad pub, but it has the most obnoxious landlord in the south east .....but the rest of the staff are pleasant and friendly
29 Aug 2006 11:38
Waited 10 minutes to get served then two of the barman's cronies came in, stood next to me and got served straight away. A TERRIBLE pub, I will not be back
15 Aug 2006 08:00
A county house turned into a restaurant, has a Berni Inn feel to it. Not my cup of tea
7 Aug 2006 15:37
Not really a pub, more like a poor mans mini Harvester
Used to be a great pub in the 60's !!
7 Aug 2006 15:31
Monday is a nice quiet night, great Irish music session out the back
7 Aug 2006 15:29
How can John FCC say its the worst pub in Sutton?? Surely the Butterchurn or the Dolphin must be the worst pub in Sutton??
7 Aug 2006 14:48
The Skimmington Castle, Reigate Heath
Excellent food and beer but far too many dogs for my liking, specially the ones that sit on the seats! Dogs on seats is not acceptable, especially for a pub that serves food
12 Jul 2006 08:27
Yes I like the public bar, it has a nice atmosphere. The lounge bar has been turned into a restaurant and always seems packed and squashed. I was disappointed in the food. As a previous reviewer said 'the food is not too ponced up', well this is true. The burger, I think, was out of a frozen packet, the chips seem re-heated, the salad seemed a bit old. The bar staff seemed a bit gruff, the garden furniture needs a serious re-vamp but the pub is worth a visit 'cos it is in a nice location!!
12 Jul 2006 08:09
Staff were pretty miserable when I went in there and I wish they'd get rid of that disgusting strip lighting behind the bar, it ruins the atmosphere of the place.
Yes, its not really a pub, more like a resturant. All the tables are set for food
10 Jul 2006 14:32
The landlord has changed again (and again, and again), goodness I cant keep up with it.
Can't quite make the new landlord out, I have been going there since the 60's when it was a free house. This was the first time the landlord forced me into a different seat for some reason in an empty bar. (because it was a table for 4 people !) Most odd ! I reserve my opinion. Will report back in 6 months !!
3 Jul 2006 14:26
Miserable staff, souless pub, average beer and I wish they would do something about the terrible bright strip light behind the bar, it ruins the atmosphere of the bar area. Will come back in 5 years to see if it has improved
8 Mar 2006 13:20
Drove past it the other day. The pub building is still there, it hasn't been knocked down. New windows, cleaned up brickwork and roof. You never know, one day it might turn back into the Kings Head Pub instead of offices for the bus garage next door.
10 Jan 2006 13:49
The landlord has changed and he seems a bit grumpy, I think he might have cleared a lot of the Snobby Locals out !! The pub is nicer now, strict no smoking policy in one of the bars and they have got rid of the one armed bandit !
25 Nov 2005 07:28
The Running Horses, Mickleham
My wife and I visited the Running Horses on a Friday night (we have been going there for 30 years)
Apparently it is under new management !
1) they have re-furbished the bar area, taken away the carpets which used to absorb the sound, installed new lights!
2) Lights far too bright !! The pub has lost all it's atmosphere
3) The Brakespeares beer was not up to standard. the beer is very expensive... at least they should try and keep it properly!
4) this pub used to be "buzzing" with people before the take-over, it was half empty that night
5) there was an unruly crowd at the bar, with one of them (with a very loud voice and a large beer-gut to match) swearing in the bar area. This is not acceptable in this country pub/hotel. The bar staff should have asked him to leave.
28 Mar 2015 12:16